How Annabel Lost 150 Pounds

Today, Annabel from Feed Me I'm Cranky is posting about her weight loss process. She is really inspiring and I hope you will follow her blog.

Here is Annabel!:

I want to thank Snack Girl for giving me the opportunity to guest post. It is an honor since I truly admire her passion and zest for living a balanced and healthy life full of dream-conquering and world domination! ;)

I feel like one of those silly ice breakers we have to play in school or at corporate meetings is due here. So, I’ll tell you three things about myself – two facts and one fiction for you to guess:1) I have a twin.2) I used to be nearly 300 pounds.3) I’m a little off my rocker.Ok, so maybe all three are true. You’ll just have to find out! :D

When thinking about what to write for this post, I was a bit stumped. All I could hear was Hamlet’s famous rhetorical question: “to be or not to be?” Is it odd that Hamlet’s voice parades itself in my head? Well, you should see his company!

Anywho, I’ve decided I’ll share some of my own “to be” s when it comes to my health. To be healthy, ya gotta:

Break it down. If someone had told my 280-pound-and-unhealthy old self that in order to get healthy I would have to stop eating all the foods I loved and get an exercise-wheel likea Hamster, I would have stuffed my face with another Big Mac and told them to screw off.

Thankfully, I realized that I could break down my health goals and take it step by step and pound by pound. Looking at the big picture is great and necessary, but fixating on it can be overwhelming.

Get your learn on. I know it’s hard for us health gurus to imagine a day when we did not know how to read nutrition labels or which foods to eat, but I hold on dearly to my memory of that ignorance! Sound weird? Well, I’ve got to keep myself in check - assume you know everything and you learn nothing.

Try new things. This definitely ties in with learning new things. The more research I do, and the more I grow as a healthy person, the more I want to experiment with new foods, new exercises and new healthy lifestyles.

After 6 months as a vegetarian, I’ve recently decided to try out veganism. Healthy people love to exercise their bodies, and, for me, exercising my mind and my choices is just as important!

Accept the things you can’t change. If you’ve ever been to an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting (don’t ask), or known someone battling an addiction, you’ve probably heard him/her mention that accepting what he/she could not change is a big part of getting clean.

Why? It’s hard for us type-As (*cough*) to accept things we can’t change. “That’s defeatism!” is certainly something that would pop in my head. But when you think about it – it’s a big, crazy, world out there and trying to change and control everything can leave you feeling like Atlas with the world resting on his shoulders.

You can accept that some things are out of your control and also empower yourself to strive to change all that you can. It’s a delicate balance, but one worth refining for the sake of your mental and emotional health.

Be your own advocate. Welcome to adulthood womp womp. No one is going to patrol what you eat, how often you exercise (or if I need to change the oil in my car! Crap, I need to do that!), etc. And the government certainly isn’t going to do it either.

You know all those cute little check marks and “heart healthy” symbols you see branded on your packaged goodies? Be skeptical and do your research. Don’t like what you see?

Think your grocery store skimps on the organic produce? Do as Michael Pollan, author of Food Rules, says and “vote with your fork.” How you spend your money tells companies how they can make money and, you know what, if it seems organic and healthy foods will make them money, they’ll offer more of it!

This is definitely an area where you have control and can make big changes with your small actions.

Think holistic. Ever feel like you’re suffering from healthy-lifestyle-ocd? Yea, me too. That’s when I remember that health is not about looking this way or only eating that but about looking straight ahead at myself in the mirror.

No, I’m not advocating vanity, silly! I’m saying that it’s your life story you’re writing, so accept and appreciate your back-story, your pace, and where you want it to go. Remember, at the end of the day, when it comes to “to be or not to be” you should always be yourself.

And with that, my friends, I am a cornball!

Your turn, please comment! Tell me three things about you – two that are true – and let me guess the facts and fiction! Also, give me your own “to be”s when it comes to health!

7 Comments:

great post! thanks for sharing:)3 things:1. i'm adopted2. i'm a little obsessed w/ a certain boy band3. i like the color purple

i recently lost 100 lbs, but still have a ways to go in my weight loss. i seem to be stuck and have been considering the foods i eat. i have made huge changes, but am thinking maybe i need to change more.

one thing i'm super proud of, is that i recently started jogging. i didn't think i could do it yet, but i have great friends who have urged me on:)

thanks so much for this, i love reading things like this, helps keep me inspired!

Great advice. I think that many people REALLY struggle with personal motivation... that's why it's good to have some health gurus and experts around to kick our butts (thank you, gym class instructor).

1. I had a baby at 412. I didn't gain any weight during menopause3. My plan is a healthy life and no dieting ever again.Thanks for your post, it was very good for me to read this since I am stalled in my weight loss. I cut out sugar, artifical sweetners, and any thing white carbs (ie.rice, bread, etc). The result is I lost 25lbs...but have hit a stopping point. TO you all you young women out there, clean up your diet before you hit menopause...because I feel like the little engine chugging up the hill. I know I can, but does my body? Thanks again for your great story.

dotty aka judyon July 2, 2010

great post!!!!!1. I am working on my very first book.2. I have a serious sock obsession.3. "New me in 2010" is my theme for this year. So far, so good!

Great post! Inspirational.1. I am gluten-intolerant.2. I have never been overweight by medical standards.3. I love to play soccer.

My check in - Lisa, you've inspired me! As I've hit a rut with my weight loss, in spite of carefully watching what I eat, working out 30 minutes 6-7 times a week, I sought out some changes. No big results yet, but I'm down a pound! Woohoo! I upped my protein intake. I aim for .75 gram to every pound I weigh. Somewhat tough, but I'm hoping it'll get easier when I get this protein powder in that I ordered. But the real change? Lisa's suggestion at Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred. Bought it, and wow, does THAT kick my butt! I run and play sports and thought I was in shape, but this redefines "in shape"! Thank you Lisa!